Do You Have What It Takes to Realize Your Entrepreneurial Dream?

If you have an idea for a product or service that solves a problem or satisfies a need, then apply to participate in the UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization (CIC)’s iVenture cohort of startup founders. 

We are seeking aspiring entrepreneurs to apply to participate in the UTRGV CIC’s iVenture cohort.  Up to ten founders (founder = person who starts their own company) will be selected to participate in this seven– week program where they will receive an opportunity to develop their business ideas, connect with other founders and exchange feedback.

iVenture Program goal is to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their business idea so they can make a go- or no-go decision. We want to help founders identify if their business ideas have legs (or the potential for commercialization), and if they do, then find a strategy to go to market.

Understanding the viability of their business and whether it has the potential to develop into something worthy is invaluable.  We want founders to learn now rather than spend their hard-earned money and valuable time developing something that does not have commercialization potential.

Who Should Apply?

• UTRGV students, staff, faculty or RGV community members with a Big Idea to start a business in the Rio Grande Valley
• Aspiring entrepreneurs who want a hand – on experience
• What Will You Learn?

Following the “So what? Who cares? Why you?” methodology, you will find the business value of your innovation.

• To develop your idea
• Understand the problem you are trying to solve for customers
• To find out where your idea fits
• How to find out who your potential customers are
• Your path to market
• Your competitive edge
• Whether you can execute or not
• How to pitch your business idea

5/12 - Application Opens - Thursday, May 12 at 8:00 am via Startup Tree 

5/31 - Application Deadline - Tuesday, May 31 at 11:59 pm via Startup Tree 

6/1 - Review of Applications and Scheduling of Interviews 

6/2 - Interviews

6/3 - Notification of Selected Participants - Friday, June 3 by 5:00 pm via E-Mail 

6/6- Information Session for Selected Participants - Friday, June 3 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm via Zoom 

6/7 - Session #1 - Tuesday, June 7 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom

6/14 - Session #2 - Tuesday, June 14 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom

6/21 - Session #3 - Tuesday, June 21 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom

6/28 - Session #4 - Tuesday, June 28 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom

7/5 - Session #5 - Tuesday, July 5 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom

7/12 - Session #6 - Tuesday, July 12 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom

7/19 - iVenture Rehearsal Presentations - Tuesday, July 19 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom 

7/21 - iVenture Final Presentations - Thursday, July 21 from 4:00 - 6:00 via Zoom